Hey, anybody listening?  Just wanted to raise a couple topics for discussion here early in the week.  First, I missed out on the healing conference this weekend but Julie has had good things to say about it.  Id be interested to hear others take on it and maybe some discussion.  Also, Blong is gonna be in the house Wednesday talking about birthing.  Im sure some of us have opinions and comments on the status of Saddlebrook community group.  So, heres your forum, bring it......

Although I haven't posted anything to the blog yet, I really like it. The picture of Kerri with the Woody doll really made me laugh! That's great...

I think we should keep it going a while longer - things might taper off as the weather gets nicer, but by Fall/Winter, I'm sure usage will pick up. Thanks for doing this Joe!

On another note...from our discussion last night...I was reading Jude this morning, and verses 22-23 say "be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy mixed with fear - hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh." It made me think about the discussion around "deciding who was saved and passing that judgement and how can we really know who is" but here it says to save others...so it sounds like we're being asked to pass some type of judgement - but to do so in love to bring someone to Christ...

I'm sure there are many ways to interpret this... thoughts?

Hey all, great hanging out with you all last night, it had been too long since I have.  Julie says hello, sorry she couldnt make it last night.  Anyway, a little buisness.  First, sorry to the guys about breakfast, we missed Easter weekend and I missed last weekend due to Anthonys soccer.  Anyway, I hope we can continue the breakfasts, and ive updated the blog on the left here with the next date.  Secondly, hows this blog working for everyone?  Ive neglected it at times and I know we are all busy, but should we keep it going?  If not, im not offended at all.  Id love some feedback on that.  Finally, i never have plugged my own blog here before, so for those willing to venture into my random musings, take a look here .......

Hey all, ive neglected the blog for a bit now and wanted to share a discussion that is going on over at Joe Myers blog.  I will copy and paste it here and would love to hear your thoughts.......

-Joe

Hey guys, heres the quiz Julie noted last night, Click here to take it.  Below are my results, list yours in the comments area if you dare. 

Folks we are celebrating the grand opening of

BIG TOP AMUSEMENTS AND PARTY RENTALS!!!

Jesse asked me to post this, its a good read.......

Guess our national leaders didn't expect this, hmm? On Thursday,
Darrell
Scott, the father of Rachel Scott, a victim of the Columbine High
School
shootings in Littleton, Colorado, was invited to address the House
Judiciary Committee's subcommittee. What he said to our national
leaders
during this special session of Congress was painfully truthful. They
were
not prepared for what he was to say, nor was it received well. It needs
to
be heard by every parent, every teacher, every politician, every
sociologist, every psychologist, and every so-called expert!

These courageous words spoken by Darrell Scott are powerful,
penetrating,
and deeply personal. There is no doubt that God sent this man as a
voice
crying in the wilderness. The following is a portion of the transcript:

"Since the dawn of creation there has been both good & evil in the
hearts
of men and women. We all contain the seeds of kindness or the seeds of
violence. The death of my wonderful daughter, Rachel Joy Scott, and the
deaths of that heroic teacher, and the other eleven children who died
must
not be in vain. Their blood cries out for answers."

"The first recorded act of violence was when Cain slew his brother
Abel
out in the field. The villain was not the club he used. Neither was it
the
NCA, the National Club Association. The true killer was Cain, and the
reason for the murder could only be found in Cain's heart."

"In the days that followed the Columbine tragedy, I was amazed at how
quickly fingers began to be pointed at groups such as the NRA. I am not
a
member of the NRA. I am not a hunter. I do not even own a gun. I am not
here to represent or defend the NRA - because I don't believe that they
are
responsible for my daughter's death. Therefore I do not believe that
they
need to be defended. If I believed they had anything to do with
Rachel's
murder I would be their strongest opponent."

"I am here today to declare that Columbine was not just a tragedy-it
was a
spiritual event that should be forcing us to look at where the real
blame
lies! Much of the blame lies here in this room. Much of the blame lies
behind the pointing fingers of the accusers themselves.

"I wrote a poem just four nights ago that expresses my feelings best
This
was written way before I knew I would be speaking here today":
>
Your laws ignore our deepest needs,
Your words are empty air.
You've stripped away our heritage,
You've outlawed simple prayer.
Now gunshots fill our classrooms,
And precious children die.
You seek for answers everywhere,
And ask the question "Why?"
You regulate restrictive laws,
Through legislative creed.
And yet you fail to understand,
That God is what we need!

Men and women are three-part beings. We all consist of body, soul, and
spirit When we refuse to acknowledge a third part of our make-up, we
create
a void that allows evil, prejudice, and hatred to rush in and wreak
havoc.
Spiritual presences were present within our educational systems for
most of
our nation's history. Many of our major colleges began as theological
seminaries. This is a historical fact.

What has happened to us as a nation? We have refused to honor God, and
in
so doing, we open the doors to hatred and violence. And when something
as
terrible as Columbine's tragedy occurs - politicians immediately look
for a
scapegoat such as the NRA. They immediately seek to pass more
restrictive
laws that contribute to erode away our personal and private liberties.
We
do not need more restrictive laws.

"Eric and Dylan would not have been stopped by metal detectors. No
amount
of gun laws can stop someone who spends months planning this type of
massacre. The real villain lies within our own hearts. Political
posturing
and restrictive legislation are not the answers. The young people of
our
nation hold the key. There is a spiritual awakening taking place that
will
not be squelched! We do not need more religion. We do not need more
gaudy
television evangelists spewing out verbal religious garbage. We do not
need
more million dollar church buildings built while people with basic
needs
are being ignored. We DO need a change of heart and a humble
acknowledgment
that this nation was founded on the principle of simple trust in God!"

"As my son Craig lay under that table in the school library and saw
his
two friends murdered before his very eyes-He did not hesitate to pray
in
school. I defy any law or politician to deny him that right! I
challenge
every young person in America, and around the world, to realize that on
April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School prayer was brought back to our
schools. Do not let the many prayers offered by those students be in
vain.
Dare to move into the new millennium with a sacred disregard for
legislation that violates your God-given right to communicate with Him.
To
those of you who would point your finger at the NRA - I give to you a
sincere challenge. Dare to examine your own heart before casting the
first
stone! My daughter's death will not be in vain! The young people of
this
country will not allow that to happen!"

Joe

Hey y'all -
Check out page 2 of the Florence Recorder for a picture of David Morton (the next Tom Hanks) with his proud parents.  I think David looks like George Harrison from his Beatles days.
Cheers!      Kerri

As you can see we now have a few pictures on the blog.  Julie took them and I added them on.  Email any you may have to me at jlongsemail@yahoo.com and I will add them to the photoblog im working on for us.  Cya tomorrow night.

Joe

So, weve all pretty much seen it now right?  Lets discuss........


Joe